Interchangeable jewelry item

ABSTRACT

An earring that is convertible to a bracelet and vice versa is provided. The design comprises a chain of any type with magnetic clasps affixed at either end. Each earring may be attached to a person&#39;s ear lobe by using the magnetic elements in each clasp—the magnet elements attract one another when each clasp is fixed on either side of the earlobe. Alternatively, the two earrings can be coupled together in order to form a bracelet. Corresponding clasps from each of the earrings are mated together (via their internal magnets) in order to form a pair of decorative globes.

This application claims priority of Provisional Application No. 60/650,507, filed Feb. 7, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a jewelry system in which one or more earrings (preferably a pair or earrings) are convertible into a single necklace or bracelet by means of decorative magnetic clasps and the like. Jewelry items such as earrings and bracelets are typically made using precious and/or semi-precious metals, such as gold or silver, and often incorporate one or more precious or semi-precious stones, such as diamonds, to enhance the items' appearance. Because such jewelry items are expensive, often one must choose to buy one or another in order to stay within “budget”. However, depending on the occasion or event, it may be preferable to wear earrings as opposed to a bracelet, or vice versa. Furthermore, earrings often fall our and/or get lost (the tendency being to lose one earring only), rendering the remaining earring totally useless.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a single jewelry item that is suitable on either an earring or a bracelet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, an earring that is convertible to a bracelet and vice versa is provided. The design comprises a chain of any type with magnetic clasps affixed at either end. Each earring may be attached to a person's ear lobe by using the magnetic elements in each clasp—the magnet elements attract one another when each clasp is fixed on either side of the earlobe. Alternatively, the two earrings can be coupled together in order to form a bracelet. Corresponding clasps from each of the earrings are mated together (via their internal magnets) in order to form a pair of decorative globes.

Significantly, each clasp of the two earrings that are used to produce the bracelet preferably correspond in design, shape and size to the clasp with which it mates in order to ensure an aesthetically pleasing design.

Although magnets may be used to attach the clasps, other attachment mechanisms, such as an interengageable pin, may be substituted.

Accordingly, it is an object to provide an improved jewelry item that is interchangeable between an earring and a bracelet or necklace.

Still, other objects will be obvious and/or apparent from the description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the jewelry item of the invention in an open, hanging condition;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the jewelry item shown n FIG. 1 in an almost closed condition; and

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view showing two of the inventive jewelry items coupled together at their ends in order to form a bracelet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to an earring or earrings convertible to a bracelet, and vice versa.

FIG. 1 shows a single earring 11 comprising a chain 12 with a clasp 13 fixed at either end. Each clasp 13 includes a magnetic element. Decorative elements 15, such as a jewelry stone or other decorative member (in this case, a decorative ball) are attached along the chain. Each clasp 13 is hemispherical in shape.

FIG. 2 shows earring 11 just about to be attached along a person's earlobe—such attachment is facilitated by the magnet elements 14 in each clasp 13, which attract one another when each clasp is fixed on either side of an earlobe.

Significantly, the decorative design of the two clasp elements 13, when joined together by means of magnetic elements 14, is the same as or complementary to the design of decorative elements 15.

FIG. 3 shows two earrings 11A and 11B coupled together via clasps 13A and 13B at the ends of chains 12A and 12B in order to form a bracelet 21. Corresponding clasps 13A and 13B from each of the earrings are mated together via their respective magnetic elements 14 to form a pair of decorative globes 23. Globes 23 correspond to and are complementary of the design of decorative elements 15. Significantly, each clasp 13A and 13B of earrings 11A and 11B that are used to produce bracelet 21 preferably correspond in design, shape and size to the clasp with which it mates to ensure an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Although magnets are used to attach the clasps, other attachment mechanisms, such as interengageable pins, may be substituted.

Although, as shown in FIG. 3, the preferred design has the two earrings 11A and 11B coupled together in order to define a single bracelet 21, each earring, utilizing clasps, such as clasps 13A and 13B, could form its own individual bracelet. As a result and presuming chains 12A and 12B of earrings 11A and 11B are sufficiently long, a pair of earrings would be usable as two bracelets. Also, if large enough, the pair of earrings could define a necklace when the clasps are coupled together.

The scope of the invention is now defined in the following claims. 

1-6. (canceled)
 7. A method of making a bracelet from a pair of earring, each earring being formed of a segment made of a flexible material formed with two ends, each said end including a magnet strong enough to form an earring clasp with the magnet of another end with the earlobe of a person between the ends, said method comprising interconnecting two earrings end to end to form a bracelet with the end of a first segment being directly coupled to the end of the second segment.
 8. A method of making a plurality of jewelry articles comprising: constructing two or more jewelry chain segments, each chain segment defined by (1) a central jewelry element, (2) first and second extending elements having a length of which at least a portion is continuously flexible, each extending element having a first end connected to said jewelry element and a second end, and (3) two complementary magnetic clasps with one of said clasps connected to said second end of said first extending element and the other of said clasps connected to said second end of said second extending flexible element; selectively disposing said clasps of any one of chain segments in facing relationship over an earlobe such that said clasps magnetically attract one another so that said chain segment is downwardly hangable from said earlobe in order to define earring; and selectively connecting said chain segments end to end in order to form a bracelet by magnetically mating one of said magnetic clasps of any of said chain segments to the other of said magnetic clasps of a different chain segment.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said jewelry segments are constructed with said extending elements comprising an interlocking hoop chain.
 10. A method of making jewelry articles including a bracelet and a pair of earrings from a modular jewelry set having a first and a second chain segments, each segment having first and second end connected by a flexible member, each end having a magnet, said magnet generating a magnetic field strong enough to couple said end with another end even when said ends are separated by distance equal to the typical thickness of an earlobe of a person to from an earring clasp, said method comprising: Attaching each said segments to a respective ear of a person by forming a loop with the two ends being on opposite sides of the respective ear lobe to form said earring clasp; and Connecting said first set of segments end to end using said magnets, wherein each end of one segment of said set is in direct contact with the respective end of another segment to form a bracelet for a person.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein at least one segment includes at least one decorative element disposed on the flexible member between the ends.
 12. The method of claim 10 wherein said flexible member is a chain,
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein said flexible member is a metallic chain.
 14. The method of claim 10 wherein each segment end is sized and shaped to form a regular geometric shape further comprising mating said ends seamlessly during said connection to form a first decorative object.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein each segment includes on said flexible member a second decorative object having the shape of said first decorative object. 